With the Dallas Cowboys' defense coming off an abysmal performance against the Detroit Lions, they might surprisingly have their hands full this week against the Minnesota Vikings.
In the midst of Vikings fans growing restless with J.J. McCarthy's efforts this season, he supplied a huge reason to keep believing in him after a 31-0 victory against the Washington Commanders. McCarthy's quick and decisive playmaking made for one of his best games this season, even with Justin Jefferson being extremely quiet, only catching two balls for 11 yards.
ESPN Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert marked one specific area that led to arguably the best performance of McCarthy's young career. The Cowboys' pass rush hasn't been that great at all this season, and McCarthy's quick release time could end up haunting Dallas come Sunday night.
J.J. McCarthy's quick releases could end up torching the Cowboys' defense
J.J. McCarthy got the ball out quicker today than any any of his previous games, by far.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) December 8, 2025
Start 7: 2.56 seconds
Start 6: 2.99
Start 5: 2.84
Start 4: 3.46
Start 3: 3.07
Start 2: 3.35
Start 1: 2.94
Perfecting quick releases as a quarterback in the NFL is an arduous learning process, and McCarthy, at least for one week, looked highly competent in that department. After the Cowboys' secondary looked like they were on roller skates against Detroit, this is not the ideal time to meet McCarthy after he clearly found something to get him into a rhythm.
The Cowboys' defense decided not to throw any heat towards Jared Goff, and if Matt Eberflus has that same game plan, that probably won't even matter against McCarthy. While the Commanders have been a disaster this season, they have respectable players on their front seven, and McCarthy was able to torch them.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Jadeveon Clowney, and James Houston have all shown an ability to wreak havoc off the edge this season. However, Sunday's game might be one where the defensive line focuses on batting down balls.
On paper, the Cowboys should have the edge over the Vikings, but with McCarthy still able to find something to work in his favor in response to the Commanders shutting down Jefferson, fans shouldn't go writing down McCarthy and Minnesota as an easy win.
The playoffs have come early for Dallas. That's not a great thing to say at this point in the calendar, but they put themselves into this situation. This is a must-win against a Minnesota team against a quarterback who has suddenly unlocked some of his best stuff.